Method and apparatus for electrical power visualization

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for visualization of power generated by a plurality of distributed generator (DG) components. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving power information representing an amount of power generated by each DG component in the plurality of DG components; displaying a two-dimensional image showing an image representation of each DG component in the plurality of DG components; associating a color with each image representation; and varying at least one characteristic of the color associated with each image representation in accordance with the amount of power generated by the DG component that is represented by the image representation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. non-provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 12/381,301 filed Mar. 10, 2009, which issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 8,963,923 on Feb. 24, 2015 and which claims the benefitof U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/068,921, filed Mar.11, 2008, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a method andapparatus for visualization of electrical power data.

2. Description of the Related Art

Use of distributed generators (DGs) to produce energy from renewableresources is steadily gaining commercial acceptance due to the rapiddepletion of existing fossil fuels and the increasing costs of currentmethods of generating power. One such type of distributed generator is asolar power system. Solar panels within the solar power system arecomprised of photovoltaic (PV) modules that convert solar power receivedinto a direct current (DC). An inverter then converts the DC currentfrom the PV modules into an alternating current (AC). The powergenerated by the solar power system may then be used to run appliancesat a home or business, or may be sold to the commercial power company.

Variations in energy produced by the PV modules in a solar power systemmay be attributed to various causes such as variations in the inverters,PV module mismatch (i.e., variations in power output within themanufacturer's tolerance), PV module or inverter damage, or differentinsolation profiles for the PV modules. In some cases, differences ininsolation profiles may be due to a cause that cannot be altered orfixed, such as an immovable obstruction shading a PV module. In othercases, differences in insolation profiles may be due to correctablecauses, such as dust or dirt on the surface of a PV module. However,current monitoring systems do not provide sufficient granularity toremotely gather and analyze operation information per solar panel. Thus,an operator may only know whether the overall system is operatingproperly.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing electrical powerdata related to a DG in a readily understandable format for performanceanalysis of the DG.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method andapparatus for providing a visualization of power for display. In oneembodiment, the method comprises receiving power informationrepresenting an amount of power generated by each DG component in aplurality of DG components; displaying a two-dimensional image showingan image representation of each DG component in the plurality of DGcomponents; associating a color with each image representation; andvarying at least one characteristic of the color associated with eachimage representation in accordance with the amount of power generated bythe DG component that is represented by the image representation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentinvention can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing electrical powervisualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a representation of a display for electrical powervisualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a representation of a power visualization scale in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a representation of a power visualization scale in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for displaying a visualization ofelectrical power in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for displaying a visualization ofelectrical power production in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for providing electrical powervisualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. The system 100 comprises a plurality of distributedgenerators (DGs) 102 ₁, 102 ₂, . . . , 102 _(n), (hereinafter, DGs 102),a plurality of controllers 104 ₁, 104 ₂, . . . , 104 _(n), (hereinafter,controllers 104), a user 106, a master controller 108, and acommunications network 110. The controllers 104, the user 106, and themaster controller 108 are communicably coupled via the communicationsnetwork 110, e.g., the Internet.

The DGs 102 generate power from a renewable resource, such as solarenergy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, and the like. In someembodiments, a DG 102 is comprised of a plurality of solar panelsarranged in groups as solar arrays, where each solar panel is comprisedone or more inverters coupled to one or more PV modules in a one-to-onecorrespondence. Additionally, a DC-DC converter may be coupled betweeneach PV module and each inverter (e.g., one converter per PV module). Inone or more alternative embodiments, multiple PV modules may be coupledto a single inverter (i.e., a centralized inverter); in some suchembodiments, a DC-DC converter may be coupled between the PV modules andthe centralized inverter.

The PV module generates a direct current (DC) relative to the amount ofsolar energy it receives. The inverter converts the DC current generatedby the PV module to an alternating current (AC). The generated ACcurrent may be used to operate appliances in a home or business, coupledto a commercial power grid and sold to the commercial power utility, ora combination of both. In other embodiments, one or more of the DGs 102may additionally or alternatively comprise a plurality of wind turbines,as in a “wind farm”, for generating the DC current.

Each DG 102 ₁, 102 ₂, . . . , 102 _(n) is coupled to a controller 104 ₁,104 ₂, . . . , 104 _(n), respectively, in a one-to-one correspondence.The controllers 104 collect data on the health and performance of theDGs 102, such as measurements of power generated by one of morecomponents of the DG 102, power consumed from one of more components ofthe DG 102, and the like. Data may be collected at various levels ofgranularity; for example, for a DG 102 comprising a solar energy system,data may be collected for one or more individual PV modules, solarpanels, and/or solar arrays, as well as for the entire solar energysystem.

The collected data is communicated from the controllers 104 to themaster controller 108. Additionally, the controllers 104 and/or themaster controller 108 may communicate operational instructions to theDGs 102 for purposes of operating the DGs 102 and their components.

Using a conventional web browser 112, the user 106 may access a website114 supported by the master controller 108 (or a server having access tothe master controller 108 data) to obtain a data display based on thecollected data, where the data display represents the operation of theDG 102 in a readily understandable format as described in detail withrespect to FIG. 3. Additionally, a multitude of users may access one ormore of such displays representing the DG 102 operation via a passwordprotected portal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller 104 in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present invention. The controller 104 comprisesa transceiver 202, at least one central processing unit (CPU) 204,support circuits 206, and a memory 208. The CPU 204 may comprise one ormore conventionally available microprocessors. Alternatively, the CPU204 may include one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASIC). The support circuits 206 are well known circuits used to promotefunctionality of the central processing unit. Such circuits include, butare not limited to, a cache, power supplies, clock circuits, buses,network cards, input/output (I/O) circuits, and the like.

The memory 208 may comprise random access memory, read only memory,removable disk memory, flash memory, and various combinations of thesetypes of memory. The memory 208 is sometimes referred to as main memoryand may, in part, be used as cache memory or buffer memory. The memory208 generally stores the operating system 214 of the controller 104. Theoperating system 214 may be one of a number of commercially availableoperating systems such as, but not limited to, SOLARIS from SUNMicrosystems, Inc., AIX from IBM Inc., HP-UX from Hewlett PackardCorporation, LINUX from Red Hat Software, Windows 2000 from MicrosoftCorporation, and the like.

The memory 208 may store various forms of application software, such asdata collection software 212 for collecting operational data (e.g.,measurements of electrical power data) from the subtending DG 102. Inaddition, the memory 208 may also store data 210 related to a subtendingDG 102. Such data may be collected and stored at various levels ofgranularity; for example, for a DG 102 comprising a solar energy system,data may be collected and stored for one or more individual PV modules,solar panels, and/or solar arrays, as well as for the entire solarenergy system.

The transceiver 202 couples the controller 104 to the DG 102 tofacilitate command and control of the DG 102. Data 210 regardingoperation of the DG 102, such as power generated by one or morecomponents of the DG 102 and/or power consumed, is collected by thecontroller 104 via the transceiver 202. The transceiver 202 may utilizewireless or wired techniques for such communication.

The master controller 108 is a type of controller 104 that may containadditional elements, such as application software for managing aplurality of DGs 102, application software for managing the website 114,and/or application software pertaining to generating the data displayrepresenting the DG 102 operation.

FIG. 3 is a representation of a display 300 for electrical powervisualization in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. In one such embodiment, the DG 102 is comprised of aplurality of solar panels arranged in one or more solar arrays, whereeach solar panel is comprised of one or more of inverters coupled to oneor more PV modules in a one-to-one correspondence. The PV modulesgenerate DC power that is subsequently converted to AC power by theinverters, where the power at the output of the inverters is relative tothe level of solar energy the PV modules receive. U. S. PatentApplication Publication Number 2007/0221267 entitled “Method andApparatus for Converting Direct Current to Alternating Current” andfiled Sep. 27, 2007, which is herein incorporated in its entirety byreference, discloses an example of such inverter technology.

In one specific embodiment, the display 300 graphically comprises aplurality of display images 302 _(1,1), 302 _(1,2), . . . , 302 _(n,m),collectively known as display images 302, where each display image 302represents one of the solar panels in the DG 102 in a one-for-onecorrespondence. The display images 302 are arranged in accordance withthe physical layout of the solar panels comprising the DG 102;additionally and/or alternatively, a tabular representation of thedisplay images 302 may be provided. For each solar panel of the DG 102,the corresponding display image 302 displays a visualization ofassociated electrical power data.

In order to produce a visualization of a type of electrical powerassociated with the solar panels of the DG 102, a power visualizationscale is established. In one or more embodiments, the powervisualization scale is based on a hue, saturation, and intensity (HSI)color description where a specific hue (e.g., blue) is assigned torepresent a specific type of power to be visualized, such as an absolutepower generated by the solar panels of the DG 102. In alternativeembodiments, blue (or any other hue) may be assigned to represent adifferent type of electrical power from any one of a myriad of types ofelectrical power pertaining to one or more components of the DG 102,such as relative power generated by the solar panels or PV modules. Insome embodiments, electrical power data related to consumption of powergenerated by the DG 102 may also be visualized. For example, powerconsumption for one or more branch circuits of the DG 102 may be trackedon a sub-hourly basis and scaled by a time-of-use (TOU) rate scheduleprior to being visualized. A visualization of power consumption costsuch as this may help users optimize their power consumption against theTOU rate schedule to achieve the greatest financial benefit.

In some embodiments, the power visualization scale establishes a levelof color saturation and intensity for the selected hue as a function ofthe absolute power generated at the output of a solar panel of the DG102. To achieve this, a linear scale of the absolute power generated bya solar panel is established, for example ranging from 0 to 100, where 0represents a minimum power value, such as no power output, and 100represents a maximum power value, such as an absolute maximum poweroutput (i.e., the nominal power output rating of the solar panel). Insome embodiments, a minimum and/or maximum power value of the electricalpower data to be visualized may be obtained utilizing data collectedfrom the DG 102. Additionally and/or alternatively, the minimum and/ormaximum power value may be dynamically defined.

The power visualization scale is then established by mapping colorsaturation and intensity to the linear scale. A linear interpolation ofcolor saturation of the selected hue from 100% to 50% saturation ismapped to the range of values from 50 to 100 on the linear scale and acolor saturation of 100% is mapped to values from 0 to 50 on the linearscale. In conjunction with the saturation, a linear interpolation ofintensity from 0% to 100% intensity is mapped to the range of valuesfrom 0 to 50 on the linear scale and an intensity level of 100% ismapped to values from 50 to 100 on the linear scale. By utilizing theresulting scaled color saturation and intensity levels, the absolutepower generated by the solar panel of the DG 102 can be visualized by acolor at a particular saturation and intensity, thereby creating areadily understandable display representing the operation of the DG 102.

In some embodiments, the power visualization scale is established bymapping a linear interpolation of red/green/blue (RGB) components of aparticular color to the linear scale of absolute power. In suchembodiments, three colors (C₁, C₂, and C₃) of the same hue are selected,where C₁ is generally low-intensity and high-saturation, C₂ is high inboth intensity and saturation, and C₃ is high-intensity but lesssaturated than C₂. For example, C₁ may be black, C₂ may be blue, and C₃may be bluish-white. A linear interpolation of C₁ and C₂ is mapped tothe values from 0 to 50 on the linear scale of absolute power, and alinear interpolation of C₂ and C₃ is mapped to the values from 50 to100. For example, colors C₁, C₂, and C₃ having RGB component values of(0, 0, 0), (0, 137, 237), and (162, 219, 255), respectively, wouldresult in the following linear power scale/RGB component value mappings:0=>(0, 0, 0); 25=>(0, 68, 118); 50=>(0, 137, 237); 80=>(97, 186, 248);and 100=>(162, 219, 255).

In some embodiments, C₁ may be selected as a color other than black, forexample to reflect that a displayed value of “0” on the powervisualization scale (i.e., a display of C₁) depicts aminimum-performance in terms of the corresponding type of electricalpower rather than an absolute value of zero power.

Based on capabilities of the display 300, the values on the powervisualization scale may be continuous (e.g., each distinct scaled valuemaps to a different color value) or quantized to obtain a small number(e.g., 128) of distinct values for display.

The absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG 102 may beobtained by the master controller 108 on a periodic basis and mapped tothe power visualization scale for display; in some embodiments,individualized power visualization scales may be utilized for one ormore of the solar panels based on their characteristics. Thecorresponding levels of color saturation and intensity are displayed ineach of the display images 302 of the display 300, providing avisualization of the absolute power generated by each solar panel of theDG 102. As illustrated in FIG. 3, different levels of color saturationand intensity are depicted by different densities of cross-hatching.Additionally, a numerical value of the absolute power generated by eachsolar panel of the DG 102 may be included in the corresponding displayimage 302, and/or a visual depiction of the power visualization scalemay be included in the display 300, for example a display of the colorsaturation and intensity range from the minimum to the maximum powervalue.

The periodicity of obtaining the absolute power generated by each solarpanel of the DG 102 can be varied as needed. For example, the absolutepower data may be obtained on an hourly basis in order to observevariations in power generated per solar panel as the position of the sunchanges throughout the day. In addition to or as an alternative to alive display, data such as this obtained over successive time periodsmay also be displayed at a later time using time-lapse animation.Viewing the absolute power generated by each solar panel of the DG 102over an extended time period as a time-lapse animation can help identifyexternal shading obstacles. As shadows of the external shading objectsmove from west to east during the day, the associated changes in theabsolute power generated by the affected solar panels of the DG 102 areclearly depicted in the time-lapse animation.

In an alternative embodiment, power consumption data, such as absoluteor relative power consumption, may be obtained periodically, for examplesub-hourly, and mapped to a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate schedule in additionto being mapped to a power visualization scale for display. Avisualization of power consumption in this manner may help usersoptimize their power consumption against the TOU rate schedule.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a power visualization scale 402 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Valuesof a type of power 406 for a component of a DG (e.g., values of absolutepower generated by a solar panel of the DG) are mapped to a linear scale404. In some embodiments, values of absolute power generated by a solarpanel ranging from a minimum (e.g., 0) to a maximum (e.g., amanufacturer's nominal power output rating for the solar panel) arelinearly mapped to a linear scale 404 ranging from 0 to 100, where theminimum and maximum values of absolute power generated correspond tovalues of 0 and 100, respectively.

A level of color saturation 408 for a particular hue ranging from 50% to100% is linearly mapped to values from 100 to 50 on the linear scale404, where 50% color saturation corresponds to a value of 100 on thelinear scale 404 and 100% color saturation corresponds to a value of 50on the linear scale 404. Additionally, a color saturation of 100% forthe hue is mapped to values from 50 to 0 on the linear scale 404.

An intensity level 410 ranging from 0% to 100% is linearly mapped tovalues from 0 to 50 on the linear scale 404, where 0% intensitycorresponds to a value of 0 on the linear scale 404 and 100% intensitycorresponds to a value of 50 on the linear scale 404. Additionally, anintensity level of 100% is mapped to values from 50 to 100 on the linearscale 404.

FIG. 5 is a representation of a power visualization scale 502 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Valuesof a type of power 406 for a component of a DG are mapped to a linearscale 404, as previously described.

Colors C₁, C₂, and C₃, each comprising a different level of saturationand intensity of a particular hue 504, are mapped to values 0, 50, and100, respectively, on the linear scale 404. In some embodiments, C₁ is acolor having low-intensity and high-saturation, C₂ is high in bothintensity and saturation, and C₃ is high-intensity but less saturatedthan C₂. A linear interpolation of C₁ and C₂ 506 (i.e., a linearinterpretation of C₁ and C₂ red/green/blue (RGB) components) is mappedto linear scale values ranging from 0 to 50. A linear interpolation ofC₂ and C₃ 508 (i.e., a linear interpretation of C₂ and C₃ red/green/blue(RGB) components) is mapped to linear scale values ranging from 50 to100.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 600 for displaying a visualizationof electrical power in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. The method 600 begins at step 602 and proceeds tostep 604, where a hue is assigned to represent a particular type ofpower associated with one or more components of a DG. For example, aparticular hue such as blue may be assigned to represent absolute orrelative power generated by one or more solar panels or PV modules ofthe DG, or absolute or relative power consumption.

At step 606, a linear scale is established, such as the linear scale404, and values of the type of power ranging from a minimum value to amaximum value are mapped (e.g., linearly mapped) to the linear scale.For example, values of absolute power generated by a solar panel rangingfrom 0 to a maximum value (e.g., a nominal power output rating for thesolar panel) may be linearly mapped to linear scale values from 0 to100, respectively. Alternatively, values of relative power generated bya solar panel ranging from a minimum value to a maximum value may belinearly mapped to linear scale values from 0 to 100, respectively; insuch an embodiment, the minimum and/or maximum values may be determinedfrom analysis of actual data and in some cases may be dynamicallydetermined. For example, a maximum value of relative power productionmay be dynamically defined as the harvest of the best-producing solarpanel of the DG during a particular interval.

The method 600 then proceeds to step 608, where a power visualizationscale is established. In some embodiments, as previously described, alevel of color saturation ranging from 50% to 100% is linearly mapped tovalues from 100 to 50 on the linear scale, where 50% and 100% colorsaturation correspond to linear scale values of 100 and 50,respectively, and a color saturation of 100% is mapped to linear scalevalues from 50 to 0.

In conjunction with the color saturation, an intensity level is mappedto the linear scale such that intensity levels ranging from 0% to 100%correspond to linear scale values from 0 to 50, respectively, and anintensity level of 100% corresponds to linear scale values from 50 to100. In some embodiments, as previously described, the powervisualization scale is established by mapping a linear interpolation ofred/green/blue (RGB) components of a particular color to the linearscale. The established power visualization scale provides a means forgenerating color saturation and intensity levels for a particular huerelative to the level of the type of power to be visualized.

The method 600 proceeds to step 610. At step 610, power data to bevisualized, for example measurements of absolute power generated by eachsolar panel of the DG, is obtained. In some embodiments, such power datamay be periodically obtained by a master controller communicably coupledto the DG. At step 612, the power visualization scale is utilized todetermine values of color saturation and intensity corresponding to theobtained power data and generate a display visualizing the obtainedpower data, such as the display 300. Additionally and/or alternatively,the resulting color saturation and intensity values may be applied to atabular representation of the obtained power data presented to the user.

The visualization of the obtained power data may be displayed in realtime; in some embodiments, the visualization of power data over a periodof time may be displayed in a time-lapse animation. Additionally and/oralternatively, the obtained power data may be scaled by a TOU rate priorto being displayed.

The method 600 proceeds to step 614, where a determination is madewhether to continue. If the result of such determination is yes, themethod 600 returns to step 610 to obtain additional power data fordisplay. In some embodiments, the minimum and/or maximum power valuesutilized to generate the power visualization scale may be dynamicallydefined, requiring the range of power values from the minimum to themaximum to be re-mapped on the power visualization scale.

If the result of the determination at step 614 is no, the method 600proceeds to step 618 where it ends.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method 700 for displaying a visualizationof electrical power in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment describedbelow, one or more DGs are each coupled to a controller in a one-to-onecorrespondence. A master controller is communicably coupled to the DGsvia their respective controllers for facilitating command and control ofthe DGs and the visualization of corresponding electrical power.

The method 700 begins at step 702 and proceeds to step 704. A user logsinto (e.g., enters a user name and password) a website supported by themaster controller, either locally or via a communications network, andselects one or more DGs of interest. In one embodiment, each DG iscomprised of a plurality of solar panels arranged in groups of solararrays, each solar panel being comprised of one or more inverterscoupled to one or more PV modules in a one-to-one correspondence. Atstep 706, the user selects a type of electrical power and a granularitylevel that they would like displayed, for example an absolute powergenerated by each solar panel of the selected DGs. In alternativeembodiments, the electrical power to be displayed may be a relativepower generated, an absolute power consumed, a relative power consumed,or a similar type of electrical power. Additionally, the granularitylevel of data to be displayed may correspond to one or more individualcomponents, a group of components, or a set of groups of components ofone or more DGs.

The method 700 proceeds to step 708. A power visualization scale isestablished as previously described, where color saturation andintensity values for a particular hue are established as a function ofthe desired electrical power to be displayed (i.e., absolute powergenerated by the solar panels of the DGs). The hue to be employed in thedisplay may be pre-set or selected by the user as part of the method700. Additional data to establish the power visualization scale, such asa nominal power output rating of the solar panel or actual power outputfrom one or more solar panels, may be obtained from the controllers, themaster controller, and/or an alternative source. In some embodiments,the power visualization scale may be dynamically defined; for example, amaximum power generated by a solar panel may be dynamically defined asthe harvest from the best-performing solar panel in the DGs over aparticular interval.

At step 710, the user selects a periodicity for the desired power datato be obtained and displayed. In alternative embodiments, theperiodicity may be pre-set. The method 700 then proceeds to step 712,where the controllers coupled to the selected DGs obtain the desiredpower data. At step 714, the obtained electrical power data is mapped tothe power visualization scale. The resulting levels of color saturationand intensity are displayed as display images, such as display images302, providing a visualization of the desired power data. Such displayimages may be displayed as a two-dimensional grid corresponding to thelayout of the selected DGs and/or as a tabular representation. In someembodiments, the obtained electrical power data may be further scaled bya TOU rate prior to being displayed.

The method 700 proceeds to step 716, where a determination is madewhether to continue collecting the desired electrical power data fordisplay. If the result of such determination is yes, the method 700proceeds to step 718. At step 718, the method 700 waits the appropriateamount of time to begin the next cycle of electrical power datacollection/display and then returns to step 712. In some embodiments,the minimum and/or maximum power values utilized to generate the powervisualization scale may be dynamically defined, requiring the range ofpower values from the minimum to the maximum to be re-mapped on thepower visualization scale. In alternative embodiments, the electricalpower data collected over a period of time may be displayed in atime-lapse animation.

If, at step 716, the result of the determination is no, the method 700proceeds to step 720 where it ends. In one or more embodiments, multipleusers at one or more distinct locations may simultaneously perform themethod 700 based on at least different types of power data, differentgranularities of power data, different hues, and/or different datadisplays (e.g., real-time display vs. time-lapse display). The users mayremotely access the website to select their desired criteria, asdescribed above, and remotely obtain the resulting displays of thedesired power visualization.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of visualization of powergenerated by a plurality of distributed generator (DG) components of aDG, comprising: receiving power information representing an amount ofpower generated by each DG component in the plurality of DG-components;displaying, on a display, a two-dimensional image showing an imagerepresentation of each DG component in the plurality of DG components;associating, by a processor, a color with each image representation; andvarying at least one characteristic of the color associated with eachimage representation in accordance with the amount of power generated bythe DG component that is represented by the image representation.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each DG component in the plurality of DGcomponents comprises a photovoltaic (PV) module coupled to a powerconverter.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the power converter is aDC-AC inverter.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least onecharacteristic is at least one of saturation or intensity.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional image is displayed remotely froma location where the power information is received.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the two-dimensional image depicts an arrangement of theplurality of DG components in accordance with a physical arrangement ofthe plurality of DG components.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thetwo-dimensional image is displayed via a web browser.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein, for each image representation, the at least onecharacteristic of the color is varied in real-time based on the amountof power generated by the corresponding DG component.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein, for each DG-component of the plurality of DGcomponents, the amount of power generated is measured over a period oftime and the two-dimensional image is displayed in a time-lapsedepiction for the period of time.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein theamount of power generated is an absolute power generated scaled by atime of use (TOU) rate.
 11. Apparatus for visualization of powergenerated by distributed generator (DG) components of a DG, comprising:a controller for receiving power information representing an amount ofpower generated by each DG component in a plurality of DG components ofthe DG and for generating information to be displayed regarding theamount of power being generated; and a display for receiving theinformation from the controller and for displaying a two-dimensionalimage showing an image representation of each DG component in theplurality of DG components, where a color is associated with each imagerepresentation and at least one characteristic of the color is varied inaccordance with the amount of power generated by the DG component thatis represented by the image representation.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein each DG component in the plurality of DG componentscomprises a photovoltaic (PV) module coupled to a power converter. 13.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the power converter is a DC-ACinverter.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least onecharacteristic is at least one of saturation or intensity.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein the two-dimensional image depicts anarrangement of the plurality of DG components in accordance with aphysical arrangement of the plurality of DG components.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein the two-dimensional image is displayed viaa web browser.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein, for each imagerepresentation, the at least one characteristic of the color is variedin real-time based on the amount of power generated by the correspondingDG component.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein, for each DGcomponent of the plurality of DG components, the amount of powergenerated is measured over a period of time and the two-dimensionalimage is displayed in a time-lapse depiction for the period of time. 19.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the amount of power generated is anabsolute power generated scaled by a time of use (TOU) rate.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the display is remotely located from thecontroller.